Betsey T. Herd
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Palm Harbor, FL
- Free Consultation
- Virtual Appointments
With more than 40 years of combined medical and legal experience, attorney Betsey Herd provides a unique insight into the intersection of law and medicine, especially that related to cardiac health and catastrophic injuries. Ms. Herd focuses on the safe practice of medicine, reform on behalf of the nation's frail elders and litigation on behalf of victims of others' negligence. She practices with her firm, Morgenstern & Herd, P.A., based in Tampa, Florida.
Ms. Herd previously worked as a clinical manager for one of the largest hospital systems in the country, and due to this experience, Ms. Herd believes in medical provider accountability and fiscal responsibility. She received her undergraduate degree in exercise physiology and her master's degree in cardiovascular physiology. Ms. Herd attended Memphis State University where she received her law degree, after working for nearly a decade in the medical field.
Rated as an AV Preeminent* lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, Ms. Herd spends a substantial portion of her time lobbying for victims' rights in Tallahassee. She is the past president of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association and is a member of the Florida Justice Association. She is admitted to practice in the states of Florida and Tennessee as well as before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.
About Betsey T. Herd
First Admitted: 1995, Florida
Professional Webpage: http://www.morgensternandherd.com/our-attorneys/betsey-t-her...
Transactions
- High six figure Verdict against trucking company and truck driver.
- Verdict against Allstate in the amount of $653,000 pending bad faith action after underinsured Sheriff's Officer Rear-ender client on $100,000 policy limit where Allstate paid full verdict.
Educational Background
- Wake Forest University, M.A., Cardiovascular Physiology, 1985
- University of Florida, B.S., With Honors, 1982
- Memphis State University, J.D., 1994
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Various lectures on medical topics and preparing clients to testify and preparing your case for trial., Lecturer, CMEs, Cross Examination, Medical Experts, Florida Justice Association, 2001
- Presentation on How the presuit process can be used to learn about the defense of the case., Lecturer, Using Presuit to your Advantage, Florida Justice Association Masters of Justice Seminar, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, 2019
Bar/Professional Activity
- Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association, 2007
- Member, The American Association of Justice
- Board of Directors, Florida Justice Association, 2002 – 2009
- Member of American Board of Trial Advocates since 2011 up to the present time., 2011
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- Member, Florida Justice Association, 1997
- Executive Committee for the Academy of Florida Justice Association, 2005
- Tennessee, 1995
- Member, The Florida Bar Association
- Past President, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers, 2006 – 2007
- Florida, 1995
Honors/Awards
- Inducted into ABOTA, Member, American Board of Trial Advocacy, 2011
- Jurisprudence Awards for Torts I, Trial Advocacy, Appellate Argument, and Moot Court
- Betsey has been chosen by her peers as Florida's Legal Elite from 2011 - 2017., Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, 2019
- Appointed to Mammography Accessibility Workgroup by the President of the Florida Senate, 2004
- Florida Secretary of Health Award for Service, Florida Department of Health, 2004
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Verdicts/Settlements
- 7 figure resolution of matter with Ride Share Company, 2018
- Verdict of nearly $2,000,000 against State Farm arising from refusal to pay policy limit of $100,000., 2005
- Settlement just under 7 figures for victim who was not blood typed before surgery by anesthesia, surgeon or hospital., 2012
- Eight figure settlement of catastrophic injuries involving a commercial vehicle., 2016
- Settlement of fall with ankle fracture on apartment stairs where resident had lived for 2 years prior in an amount of $289,000., 2009
- Verdict in excess of $1,000,000 against Cypress Gardens in Water Ski show for boat driver's negligence, 2004
- Verdict against GEICO in automobile case with TMJ injury in amount exceeding $750,000., 2001
- Settlement of out of state automobile accident matter for Florida resident of $350,000 for injuries involving rib fracture, fracture of small finger and herniated disk., 2013
- Trial of liability in trucking matter. Court awarded attorneys fees and verdict in favor of clients., 2018
- Entry of Judgment against GEICO for $750,000 pending bad faith action where policy limit was $10,000. Settlement of case after entry of Judgment in 2011., 2009
- Verdict of $230,000 against Food Lion in fall down case with contested liability and unknown customers who allegedly moved warning cones., 2001
- Settlement with premises insurer involving fall on stairs by resident who had lived in apartment for two years in excess of $250,000.00., 2010
- Seven Figure Settlement (confidential) with major Florida hospital system arising from a failure to inform of radiologic findings for over four years., 2013
- Verdict in Dade County for victims involved in collision with a commercial vehicle. Court awarded attorneys fees., 2015
- 7 figure settlement with hospital system for failure to diagnose epidural abscess., 2010
- Settlement of Automobile Injury Case in an amount exceeding $200,000 with disk injury from minor side impact., 2010
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Interview with Russell Rhodes on Medical Malpractice and Researching your Physician, 2019
- Fox 13 News - Interviews with Russell Rhodes on Glyphosate Food Contaminants, Key Fob Dangers and Distracted Driving Laws., 2019
Videos
- Glyphosate is prevalent in food. know which foods are the highest., Food and Drink Contamination - Your Legal Rights, Food Safety, Legal, 2019
- Florida adopted a new law which makes cellphone use a primary offense., Florida Distracted Driving Law, Personal Injury, Automotive, 2019
- Key FOBs are causing CO poisoning. New technology exists. Careful for your safety., CO Poisoning From Defective Key Fobs, Automotive Safety, 2019
Pro bono/Community Service
- Hillsborough County Ask a Lawyer at Fox 13 News Station, 2019
- Hillsborough County Bar Ask a Lawyer program in affiliation with Fox 13., 2006
- Participation in Hillsborough County Bar Association "Ask a Lawyer" at Fox 13, Tampa, FL, 2008
- Past Secretary of the Women's Caucus and an EAGLE program sponsor
- Served on Hillsborough County Committee for Community Support raising funds for Slain officers and The Gold Shield., 2010
Industry Groups
- Christian Attorneys
- Florida Justice Association
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Nurse Attorneys
- Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers
Additional Sources of Information About Betsey T. Herd
Visit my FindLaw® profile
Last Updated: 7/12/2022